Newport County and Colchester United Prepare for League Two Clash

Newport County host Colchester United at Rodney Parade on Saturday, October 10, as both League Two sides seek to turn recent draws into victories. Newport manager Hayden Mullins wants his team to build on its defensive performances, while Colchester midfielder Jay Williams believes the visitors have the mentality and attacking potential to improve their league position.

According to BBC Sport's match information, both clubs entered the fixture with 11 points. Newport were 15th in the table, with Colchester 18th, making the encounter an opportunity for either side to gain ground in a competitive division.

Newport approached the match after consecutive goalless draws against Accrington Stanley and Gillingham. Colchester, meanwhile, had drawn their previous three league matches and were seeking to end a five-game winless run, according to Yahoo Sports.

Newport's home performances have offered encouragement despite their recent inability to score in the league. Season statistics published by Mr Fixit's Tips showed the team had scored eight goals and conceded four across four home fixtures, with three of those matches producing at least three goals.

Colchester's away record has been more open defensively. The same statistical analysis recorded 14 goals across their four away matches, with five scored and nine conceded. Three of those fixtures featured at least three goals, including a 3-1 defeat at Swindon Town and a 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury Town.

Newport's recent defensive displays nevertheless provide a counterpoint. The team generated 1.40 expected goals and created two major chances against Gillingham while allowing 0.32 expected goals, according to the published analysis. The figures indicate that Newport created opportunities but did not convert them into goals.

Across the four relevant Newport home matches and four Colchester away matches, six produced at least three goals, while both teams scored in six. Colchester averaged 1.48 expected goals away from home but allowed 2.32 expected goals per away match and had not kept a clean sheet in those fixtures.

Mullins said Newport's performance against Plymouth Argyle in the Jersey Mike's Subs Trophy offered reasons for confidence, despite the team losing on penalties. He praised the team's approach without possession and its ability to make the contest difficult for the opposition.

"We were very good in the first half. The way we set up out of possession, the way we stopped them and imposed our game on them was very good. We pushed them all the way, and I think they knew they were in a tough game." Mullins said.

The manager also highlighted the competition for places following the midweek performance, saying several players had strengthened their claims for selection. He believes the depth of the squad can help maintain standards as players return to fitness.

"The lads who played on Tuesday are definitely pushing the boys who started against Gillingham. We've got competition in most areas of the pitch now, which is really good. We've got a real good group that are challenging each other." Mullins said.

Explaining the foundations of Newport's defensive organization, Mullins pointed to experience, athleticism and work rate. He said the team had begun establishing the resilience required to compete consistently in League Two.

"I think organisation and hard work. We've got really good experience, good legs, good athleticism and tough tacklers. We wanted to be a tough team to break down and a tough team to overcome.

We've started that pretty well in the first block of the season and we need to carry it on." Mullins said.

The manager welcomed the return of players following the international break and said performances in recent matches had increased competition within the squad. He also noted that additional players were expected to rejoin the group.

"It's good. Tan's last game for us was the Swindon game, and he did very well. Any number of the lads have really staked a claim in my mind to be able to play.

We've still got a few others to come back into the group as well, so they feel like new signings and hopefully give us that little bit of a push that we need to kick on." Mullins said.

Newport had also dealt with an illness affecting several players. Mullins reported that the squad had returned to training but said the club needed to assess how everyone responded before the weekend fixture.

"We've had a bit of a bug going through the group. We just didn't want it spreading, really. Everyone was back in and everyone trained today.

The whole group was out there, so it was good to see. It's just seeing how they are now for Friday and seeing what they look like for the weekend." Mullins said.

Providing further injury updates, Mullins said Kian could return to on-field training the following week, Kroall had begun light work on the grass, and Tom Davies had rejoined group training despite not being fully fit. Harrison Pugh and Mo were still dealing with injuries.

"Kian, I think potentially would be back on the grass with us next week, which would be good for us. Kroall's on the grass as well, doing a little bit of light stuff. Tom Davies is back training with the group.

He's not 100 per cent right, but he's back in with the group, which is really good." Mullins said.

With Newport unbeaten in four league matches, Mullins said the priority was converting encouraging performances into victories rather than changing the team's approach.

"I'm happy with the group and where they are and how they're performing. I've got no doubt if we perform the way we have been, we will turn those draws into positive results and wins. Just focusing on us, really, and what we've been doing from the beginning of the season is the key thing." Mullins said.

He expects Colchester to provide a demanding test, pointing to the experience of their management and the competitiveness of the division.

"I think the managers are vastly experienced. They've been with the group for a long time now, and they'll probably have the group exactly where they want it. It's a very competitive league, and we're expecting a tough game, but we'll be set up in the right way to hopefully get a positive result." Mullins said.

Mullins also stressed the importance of making home advantage count through an aggressive approach. He believes opponents should expect a difficult contest at Rodney Parade.

"I think teams will expect a tough game. It's down to us to continue to play the way we play at home, to be attacking and aggressive and to give them that tough game. Our own place is a tough place to come to." Mullins said.

Reflecting on the confidence his players have gained from recent defensive performances, Mullins referred to the team's trip to Gillingham, where Newport conceded only one shot on target. He believes the division remains open to teams capable of putting together a consistent run.

"I think when the team go away to places like Gillingham and they only concede one shot on target, it gives them confidence. This division is open for anyone to put a run together. Why can't it be us?

We want to focus on ourselves and what we're going to do with the game and what our game plan looks like." Mullins said.

Newport also received encouraging news about Joe Thomas, who had suffered a dead leg during a recent match. Mullins said the full-back was jogging again and could return to training soon.

"JT was out jogging around today. He had a bit of a dead leg issue at half-time, so he had to come off. Today he was outside jogging, so JT looks like he'll probably be back in training.

If not tomorrow, then it'll be very soon." Mullins said.

For Colchester, Williams was preparing for the trip after an exhausting international journey that ultimately did not result in an appearance for St Kitts and Nevis. Yahoo Sports reported that the midfielder had traveled from the Caribbean through Miami to Heathrow after learning that his paperwork had not been completed in time for the Concacaf Nations League match.

Williams returned to England before Colchester's match at Shrewsbury Town and played the full 90 minutes. He said the club's staff quickly explained the tactical plan, helping him prepare despite limited rest and training time.

"I went out expecting to play," Williams said.

He explained that an official from the St Kitts Football Association informed him that his paperwork had not gone through, prompting him to contact Colchester manager Danny Cowley and arrange his return.

"I got pulled in by the president of the [St Kitts] Football Association who said that my paperwork didn't go through. I was straight on the phone to Danny and let him know and we sorted out me coming back the day before the [Shrewsbury] game and luckily, I got to play." Williams said.

Despite the disruption, Williams believed the return to competitive action helped him maintain his fitness. He was pleased to avoid missing a league fixture and expected to be ready for the Newport match.

"Fitness-wise, that probably is better for me because I get to be on the same track that I was on before." Williams said.

He acknowledged that returning without a normal training session required quick adjustments, but praised the communication he received from Cowley and the club's staff.

"Without being able to train, there's a few things that you have to pick up really quickly." Williams said.

Williams said the staff had welcomed him back and explained how they wanted him to perform against Shrewsbury. He was satisfied that the plan worked for most of the match.

"I've come in and straight away, I've got a great relationship with the staff, so communication was quite easy. They wanted me back and told me I was going to play, they talked me through how they wanted me to play and we got through it OK." Williams said.

He described the pre-match discussion that took place after he reached the team hotel and said he was pleased to have made the journey back in time to play.

"As soon as I landed and got to the hotel, I had a meeting with Danny and Nicky and they talked me through the game plan and what they wanted me to do. For the majority of the game, it worked out - I'm glad I came back and played." Williams said.

Williams also hopes to represent his country again when circumstances allow. He said his attention had shifted to Colchester as soon as he learned he would not feature internationally.

"There will always be a chance for me to play for my national team in the future hopefully." Williams said.

He joked about the long journey and the possibility that other players might have remained in Miami, but said he was focused on being available for his club.

"As I was stopping through Miami, I think a few of the boys might have stayed there and said the flight didn't connect!" Williams said.

Williams said he had not been overly concerned about the trip because he expected to return in time for the Shrewsbury game. However, he admitted that the lack of sleep and missed training left some uncertainty about how his body would respond.

"It was quite easy for me – I'd like to think I'm professional when it comes to being ready for games and my head was focused on the Shrewsbury game, as soon as I knew I wasn't going to play. I wasn't too stressed." Williams said.

He was prepared to contribute for as long as possible and accepted that the coaching staff could replace him if fatigue became a problem.

"I knew that I was going to get back in time for the game. I didn't know how my body was going to be going into the game to be honest, because I'd not got that much sleep and I hadn't trained the day before. But I was content with knowing I would give my all and whatever happens, happens and I would be replaced by someone else, if I got to the point where I had to go off." Williams said.

Williams said the experience had helped him remain on schedule with his fitness work and expressed satisfaction with his growing relationships at Colchester.

"For my club career, it was a great thing to have happened – I got to keep on track with my getting fit schedule and continue playing games. I got through 90, so the plan is obviously working. I've been able to rest and I should be fine, going into this weekend." Williams said.

The midfielder also praised the atmosphere around the club, saying the support of his teammates and staff had made his transition easier. He hopes those relationships will help Colchester progress up the standings.

"Sometimes, you can go to a club and it's not so easy. I think I've come in here and it's been very easy because of the people and how welcoming they've been. The group's great, the staff are great, the people around the club are great.

They've all been welcoming and when you're playing with people, you gain connections on and off the pitch and I feel like I'm building a good connection with the group. Hopefully, we keep growing as a team and push up the table." Williams said.

Williams said Colchester needed to be more decisive after collecting three consecutive league draws. He believes the team has shown resilience but must turn its performances into wins.

"How do we turn the draws into wins? It's margins. We can't make any excuses – we've got to make sure those margins turn in our favour and we're working hard day in, day out to change that." Williams said.

He rejected the idea that draws should automatically be considered positive results, explaining that his personal expectations remain focused on winning every match.

"People say sometimes that draws are good but I don't agree. I go into every game wanting to win – when I come off drawing, to me it's a loss." Williams said.

Williams remains confident that the team's work will eventually produce better results. He highlighted the squad's determination to respond when matches turn against them.

"The work that we're doing, I know the wins will come – there's really good signs in this group. I think it shows we've got character, we've got fight, we care." Williams said.

He said Colchester's mentality had helped the team remain competitive even after conceding late goals and believes the players continue to show belief in their ability to recover.

"I've been in teams in the past where you go down by one goal right at the end and everyone thinks the game's over but this group doesn't have that." Williams said.

Williams added that the team's confidence and persistence should support its progress over the coming matches.

"We've got a really good group with a good mentality so it puts us in good stead, going forward." Williams said.

He reiterated that Colchester were determined not to lose their composure when opponents scored, adding that the squad believed it could find goals and fight back.

"100 per cent, the mentality is in the right place and we don't fall down when we concede. We know that there's goals in us and we know that we've got fight, so it puts us in good stead." Williams said.

Williams also has positive memories of playing at Rodney Parade. He featured for Crawley Town in a 2-0 victory over Newport County last season, a result that helped Crawley in their fight to preserve their place in the English Football League.

Newport's published lineup listed a 4-2-3-1 formation under Mullins, with Cameron as captain and Doidge initially named as the striker before being replaced by Bamba in the ninth minute. Colchester were also listed in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Tucker captaining the visitors and Williams named in midfield.